Chapter 16: Shaping Trust

Days seemed to slip by unnoticed, and before long Shani was fully healed and Jaziel had taken on the role of Shani’s instructor and mentor. If the extra load of work tired him out, he showed no sign of it. He was always quite jovial and energetic, and the staff were more than willing to help him with anything he might require.

Shani darted through the palace on her way to her first etiquette lesson with her uncle. She had awoken late, her hair still a mess of curls. Her mother had been busy, so she supposed she didn’t want to wake her. How Jamila could manage to wake up at the break of dawn to write a letter and go to work was beyond Shani’s understanding.

She was sure she saw a bird looking at her too, but when she opened her eyes again it was gone. But she was grateful it was just a dream about a bird and not another nightmare.

Shani arrived a moment later and pushed the horrible thoughts away. She straightened her dress, looking it over carefully. She had dressed herself in a hurry today. And thankfully, she looked somewhat presentable. Shani bit her lip and then slowly opened the ballroom door. Her eyes widened when she saw Iselle dancing with Caelis.

Well… if you could call it dancing.

Caelis stumbled every other step. But Iselle just smiled and waited patiently for him to compose himself. Her aunt truly was an angel. Shani watched them, mesmerized, until she heard someone clear their throat. She looked over and noticed her uncle watching her quite intently. Shani froze.

“Are you going to stand in the doorway all day, or are you going to come in?” He sounded firm, but there was an amused smile on his lips. But it didn’t stop the heat that rose to Shani’s cheeks. She walked into the room, her hands clutching at her tunic.

Shani closed the door behind her and approached her uncle. Iselle and Caelis stopped dancing. Her aunt smiled toward Shani and kissed Caelis on the head before heading over to Jaziel.

“Since his dance partner is here… I will excuse myself to pack,” Iselle said. Her tone was quiet and her eyes low. Jaziel nodded, and Iselle left the room. Shani’s brows knitted together.

Packing?

“So, princess… why were you late?” Jaziel crossed his arms over his chest. Shani’s throat bobbed and she bit her lip.

“No one woke me…” she mumbled. Jaziel raised a brow and sighed. He knelt down and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Even still… you were the one who was late. So what do we say when we are wrong?” he asked with a slight tilt of the head. Shani frowned, playing with the hem of her tunic.

“I’m sorry for being late, Uncle…” Shani mumbled. But it wasn't her fault… so she didn’t quite understand why she had to apologise. Shouldn’t it be the people who didn’t wake her?

Jaziel smiled and placed a hand atop Shani’s messy platinum-blush hair.

“Before we get started, how about I help you with your hair first?” he asked gently, then turned toward a nearby servant, who quickly left. Shani smiled and nodded. She sat on the floor in front of her uncle, excitement coursing through her.

The servant returned with a silver comb and a basin of water. Jaziel dipped the comb in the water before running it through her hair. Shani flinched as he caught every knot and maybe even some of their friends.

“Hold still…” Jaziel said as he separated her hair into sections. Shani frowned.

“I am…” Shani whined. He caught another knot and she flinched once more.

“Your twitching would beg to differ,” he said with a small laugh. Caelis watched from the sidelines, his hand covering his mouth with concern. He took a deep breath and adjusted his glasses.

“Sir… maybe we could get a maid—”

“I am fine. Thank you, Caelis,” Jaziel said as he created two French braids. He stopped the braids toward the back of her head and tied the remaining hair into high pigtails.

“There! All done,” he said, looking quite proud of himself. The braids were tight and perfectly even. He even left some delicate curls to frame her face. All in all, it was a masterful hairstyle. But Shani’s head throbbed.

“You look lovely, princess,” Jaziel said as he patted her head. Shani smiled awkwardly. He looked so happy, she couldn't bring herself to tell him they were too tight.

“Thank you, Uncle…” She offered a smile in return. Caelis looked at her anxiously. Shani waved.

I’m okay… she mouthed. But Caelis looked anything but convinced. Jaziel nodded approvingly once more before standing. Shani followed suit but moved closer to her cousin.

“Alright… why don't we try dancing today? Caelis will be the lead.” Jaziel smiled at Caelis, who stiffened. He looked over at his cousin, who seemed to be having the same thought… their toes were going to hurt later.

Thankfully, Jaziel was a much better teacher than hairdresser. His lessons were fairly easy and he started with simple steps. Caelis and Shani were both shocked at their own progress. They still bounced off each other's feet from time to time, but not nearly as much as when Nimue taught the pair.

Nimue was strict and slightly cold when teaching. She also tended to lose her temper occasionally with Shani. Jaziel, however, was nothing like that. He was patient and engaging. His voice was smooth and easy, and his presence was almost comforting, making the lessons feel easier than they used to be.

Part of Shani hoped Nimue stayed with her family for a very long time. The thought made something twist uncomfortably in her stomach.

“Princess, back straight,” Jaziel said, his tone gentle. Shani’s body reacted before her mind could catch up. She froze and stiffened. One hand loosened from Caelis’s hold and flew protectively to her lower back.

“Shani… you're okay…” Caelis whispered so low Shani was shocked even she could make out the words. Her mouth hung open and a flush crossed her cheeks. She hesitantly looked towards Jaziel. He was mad… but it didn’t seem directed at her.

“Let’s stop for a second…” he said with a sigh. Shani and Caelis relaxed with a groan. Caelis rubbed his shoulders. Shani wanted to stretch her back, but she couldn’t bring herself to look away from her uncle, let alone move.

“Princess…” he said softly as he motioned her forward with a finger. Shani bit her lip but approached the tiger.

“You made a simple mistake.” His voice remained calm. His eyes softened as he squatted down in front of her.

“I would never hurt you over something so small… you know that, don’t you?” he asked with the slightest tilt of his head. Shani stiffened as his hair moved and she caught a glimpse of his scar.

Shani hesitated a moment longer before she finally offered him a reluctant nod. Jaziel's mouth formed a thin line before he sighed.

“Besides, you're doing much better than Jam did at your age,” he said with a small laugh as he rose back to his feet. Shani looked up at him, her eyes wide. Was he talking about her mother?

“Really? Mama wasn’t a good dancer?” she asked, her lavender eyes sparkling. Even Caelis looked interested. Another sigh left him as he sat cross-legged on the ground. The children followed suit and positioned themselves in front of him.

“No… she was horrible at anything involving movement…” he said with a mocking smile. Shani was confused for a moment, but then remembered the one time Jamila tripped over nothing in their room and fell face-first onto the rug.

She smiled at the memory.

“Although, she was very talented at embroidery.”

“Embroidery? Like sewing?” Shani asked. Jaziel smiled and nodded.

“Is there anything in the palace she made?” Caelis asked. Shani turned to him, her mouth hanging open in shock.

“Uncle… I think Caelis is sick!” Shani stuck her hand against her cousin's forehead, only for Caelis to swiftly swat it away and glare at her. Jaziel laughed.

“Well…” He scratched at his chin. A slight sadness crossed his expression. “I have… a handkerchief…”

The children's faces lit up and another laugh escaped Jaziel.

“How about… practice first, and I will show it to you later,” he said as he stood and dusted off his pants. Shani and Caelis nodded. Shani was quickly on her feet and offered Caelis a hand, which he thankfully took.

However, as the dancing continued, a weird feeling settled in Shani. She was grateful for not being punished for messing up… but without the hit, she felt uncertain. One thing did cross her mind. If he was fine with mistakes, perhaps he would accept questions.

But now that questions were allowed… she had nothing to ask. Well, perhaps next time she could ask more questions.

Shani and Caelis sat in their nest after etiquette lessons. Shani lay on her back, staring up at the large chandelier. Her arms splayed out. An open book rested on her stomach. She watched the shifting lights on the ceiling as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Winter was fast approaching, yet there was no sign of snow. They usually had a light dusting by now.

But… the idea of snow held no emotions anymore. She used to love going outside. However, recently… the idea alone twisted her stomach. The outside was dangerous. Besides… Caelis didn’t enjoy the outdoors, so she would at least have him to hang out with.

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He had chosen once more a book beyond Shani’s comprehension.

The Magic in Nature.

Shani pursed her lips. It was an interesting-sounding title. But she had no idea what magic had to do with nature. Maybe it was a fancy way of saying beauty? She nibbled her lip for a moment… she knew what she needed to ask, but she also knew what would happen when she did.

She let out a sigh. “Hey, Cal…”

Caelis turned his gaze away from the book and towards Shani. “Yes?”

Shani sat up, holding her open book against her as she did. She looked over the book one more time before setting it aside.

“What does magic have to do with nature?” she asked with a slight tilt of the head. Caelis’s face lit up.

“Apparently Draxia is home to a multitude of magical plants and minerals that no one completely understands or knows where they came from!” he began. And just as Shani had predicted, the rambling had begun. When Caelis got excited, it was quite impressive how fast he could talk. Even Shani felt slow in comparison. But the fact that he could say such big words so quickly was even more impressive to her.

“Apparently Gildan doesn’t have as many due to old kings and farmers squandering them to make a little money,” he continued. Shani’s eyes widened.

“So we used to have magical stuff too?!” she asked, scooting closer. Caelis nodded enthusiastically.

“Yeah! The silver tree in our yard is one of the last of the magical plants we have! But Gildan used to be filled to the rim with them!” Shani’s mouth hung open. The tree she used to climb was magical? That old tree?

“How is that tree magical?”

He shrugged. “No one knows… they say it’s magical because it isn’t natural. Not that anyone knows what it does.”

“And what? No one studied it to find out?” Shani raised a brow. Caelis smiled broadly.

“That’s what I thought! But…”

“But?” Shani pushed.

“Well… wouldn’t you be scared of hurting something that's basically extinct? What if you killed it?” he said sadly. Shani’s eyes widened. That was true… she supposed. She pouted.

“You're smart… I bet you could do it,” she muttered quietly. His eyes widened and a slight blush spread across his cheeks.

“Perhaps…” he said, sticking his nose back in his book. Well, it wasn’t a no. Shani smiled and scooted closer until they were shoulder-to-shoulder. She peeked into the book as his finger traced beneath the inky words.

“Hey, Cal…”

“Hmm?” he mumbled.

“When I turn fourteen… you had better tell me what the tree does,” Shani said with a grin. Caelis looked up from his book, a smile also tugging on his lips.

“I’ll think about it.”

Conversation fell away once more. The sound of turning pages, carts being pushed, even the tapping of shoes against the wood filled the space. Shani tapped her fingers against her lap.

“...Cal… why is Aunt Iselle packing?” she mumbled, staring down at her lap. Caelis froze and turned his attention back to her. His eyes glanced at her fingers. He took one of her hands between his and held it gently.

“Nothing serious… Mom wants to go visit Grandpa before the snow gets too tall,” he said. Shani’s stomach settled, but it left behind a slight bitterness. Right… Caelis had family besides her.

“I see…” she said. Her head lowered as her lashes moistened. Caelis squeezed her hand tighter.

“I will be back in time for your birthday… I won't miss it,” he said softly. Shani liked how quiet her cousin spoke. She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“You better bring me a good gift,” she laughed quietly. Caelis smiled and returned to his book, but he made sure to never let go of her hand. He may have had other cousins and family, but Caelis was her brother. No matter what people said… he was her family.

And suddenly, she felt a little more excited for her birthday.